Expert shares how to prepare for tornadoes and heavy winds as storm season arrives

Tornado alley it’s not, but Virginia still averages about 19 tornadoes a year. More common in the commonwealth? Downbursts that rush from a thunderstorm and spread outward when they hit the ground, producing intense straight-line winds, sometimes called derechos, that exceed 100 mph. 

“It is such an underrated wind threat whose damage is often confused with that of damage from tornadoes,” said Virginia Tech expert Monica Arul. “As a matter of fact, for every one tornado damage report, we have 10 downburst damage reports. That's how frequent they are.”

Here’s what Arul advises for keeping yourself and your home safe, no matter the wind event. 

Trim your trees. Straight-line winds from downbursts and derechos can produce widespread damage, including downed trees that block roads and take down power lines. “Before storm season, it’s a good idea to have trees evaluated and pruned if needed, especially to remove dead or poorly attached limbs,” Arul said. “The Virginia Department of Forestry has tree care resources that can help homeowners make their landscapes more storm resilient.”

Clear your yard. “The best time to prepare for a tornado is during a severe thunderstorm watch,” Arul said. “If you know a storm is brewing, clear your yard of any loose items like patio furniture or your kid's trampoline, because these can become dangerous sources of debris.”

Close the windows. The temptation may be to peak out the door at what’s coming, but shutting windows, interior and exterior doors, and garage doors protects your structure. “When homes have openings, air rushes in through the openings and tries to push off the roof,” Arul said. “So shut your door and save your roof.”

Take shelter. “The safest place to take shelter during a tornado or downburst is ideally the lower level of a building or a basement,” said Arul. “If you don't have a basement, then go to a small interior room, like a bathroom or closet away from windows. The goal here is to put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.” Don’t leave it to the last minute to think of where you’ll go in an emergency, either. When a tornado warning is issued, you have on average 15 minutes to act.

About Arul

Monica Arul is an assistant professor in the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. She’s an expert on extreme winds, wind engineering, wind effects on structures, and infrastructure resilience to windstorms and teaches a course in structural wind engineering.

Schedule an interview

To schedule an interview, contact the Virginia Tech Media Relations Office at mediarelations@vt.edu.